Customer Reviews

Three Novels of Ancient Egypt: Khufu's Wisdom, Rhadopis of Nubia, Thebes at War (Everyman's Library)

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Apparently these are the first three of the author's novels. This is a beautiful edition and it is also cheaper than buying the three paperback novels separately. There is an introduction, a chronology of the author's life, and then the three novels.

The introduction is a missed opportunity. I think that I might have appreciated these novels better with the help of some information about the culture in which they were written. However the introduction offers little more than plot summary. I recommend skipping it. The chronology is nice, but not tied in with the introduction.

The first novel, Khufu's Wisdom, seems to be about fate and moral choices. It tells the story of a king whose efforts to defy his fate only help to make that fate happen. It is set during the construction of one of the pyramids, but there is not much in the way of historical detail (and I think there are also some historical inaccuracies). It reads more like a biblical fable than a historical novel. It is beautifully written, but the story is somewhat simple by modern American standards.

The second novel, Rhadopis of Nubia, is much better than the first. It tells of a disastrous love affair between a king and a beautiful courtesan. It is also beautifully written, in a lavish, sometimes over the top style.

The third novel, Thebes at War, did not grab my interest and I didn't finish it. Maybe I'll try again later.

The three novels have three different translators, but all of the translations read well and have a similar flavor.

If you have not read any of the author's work before, you might also consider starting with the Cairo trilogy.

Beautifully packaged by Everyman's Library, these three novellas from Egyptian novelist Naguib Mahfouz are folk tales from the pharonic periods of Egypt. Included are "Khufu's Wisdom", a story that speaks to the futility of challenging fate, even if you are the most powerful man in the world; "Rhadopis of Nubia", the story of an all-consuming love affair that brings down a young pharoh; and "Thebes at War", that has the feel in story and language of "The Iliad" or other classical epics.

Author Mahfouz has purposely given his stories an extrarealist, even surrealist, feel. His interest is less in providing a totally accurate historic context but more in presenting interesting characters living in historic times. It's no accident that he portrays the powerful as especially vulnerable to destiny, passion and sins of pride and arrogance. The loftiest characters in these stories lose the most in terms of privilege and power. These books were written at a time when Egypt's modern rulers were seen as ineffectual, corrupt and personally inmmoral.

As mentioned, "Three Novels of Ancient Egypt" is beautifully bound and printed (complete with silk place holder). There is an interesting forward by novelist Nadine Gordimer in which she includes a favorite quote from literary critic Georg Lukacs. "What matters i the historical novel is not the telling of great historical events, but the poet's awakening of people who figure in those events." Apt for these three novellas. Wonderful read. Recommended.

Entertaining take on ancient Egypt. 'Khufu's Wisdom' cover the Old Kingdom and touches on themes of mortality; 'Rhadopis of Nubia' is probably the weakest book dwelling on a destructive love story. 'Thebes at War' details the reconquering of Egypt by Ahmose -- it is the most lively of the three books. The villainous Hyksos make for a great enemy, and the determination of the family of Ahmose to regain Egypt is affecting. Very diverting and engrossing trio from a great native Egyptian author.

Sorry to disagree with the majority of reviews and with the critical praise heaped on Mahfouz as a writer but I found these novels of "ancient Egypt" rather mundane and misleading. As historical novels, they fail to create a sense of place or atmosphere. The setting of the action in ancient Egypt is purely coincidental in that the stories might as well have been set in just about any period and with only slight adjustment of a few incidental details might as well been. Characterization is similarly weak in terms of drawing upon any historical features. Perhaps the translations are partially to blame, but even this does not explain or excuse what I regard as many glaring anachronisms in the novels. For example, early in the novel "Rhadopis of Nubia", a variation on the Cinderella story, Mahfouz describes a set of statues of the "kings of the Sixth Dynasty", a term that could not possibly have any conceptual meaning to the contemporaries of the story. If you are looking for historical fiction in the vein of a Renault, Stewart, or Cornwell, you will be mislead by these novels.

Historically Incorrect to an Absurdity. Makes one of the greatest pharaohs look shallow and pathetic. While writing about a war, the greatest battles of antiquity were completely skipped! I wonder how an Egyptian author could write something like this. (Especially a Noble Prize winner!)

The author made pharaoh Ahmose to be a witless politician, bad husband, and a shallow patriot of his country.
For example, Ahmose's lands were conquered, his family forced in exile. 10 years later he returns with a large army to re-conquer what he thinks is rightfully his. He takes possession of Egypt with fire and sward, only to allow his enemy's royal family peacefully depart outside of Egypt's borders escorted by half of their army with all of their military equipment. After that he proclaims the war is over and calmly returns home. This would truly prove him a dull politician that does not deserve any respect.
Another nonsense: Pharaoh Ahmose is supposed to be a true patriot of Egyptian country and its people who cherishes deep hatred for barbaric hyksos that conquered his land and enslaved his people. However he gives all his affection and all his thoughts to a barbaric hyksos princess while having no bond, affection or any kind of relationship at all with his own wife, young and beautiful Nefertary, royal blood native Egyptian princess.
He orders his soldiers to slaughter innocent Egyptian women and children (including a noble lady, the mother of his best friend and best commander) that are used by hyksos as alive shields. However, when that very day Egyptians captured a hyksos woman he publicly ordered to spare her and even give her all kind of comforts... simply because he secretly desires the hyksos beauty. A man who cannot sacrifice his own lust in such a moment would never deserve any respect in the eyes of his subjects.
Such outstanding historical figures as Queen Warrior Ahotep and powerful Ahmose-Nefertary are barely mentioned in the book. The author skipped their achievements and significance completely. This is also true about the greatest battles of the antiquity: The famous battle of Avaris and the siege-battle of Sharuhem. Skipping the most important figures and events does not make a good historical book. In fact it is very disappointing.
The ending of the book is really dumb. There is no joy or pride or any excitement after the liberation of Egypt was achieved.
The first part of the book is so dry and boring that I completely understand why some readers gave up and did not finish the book. None of the characters were developed until much later in the book. None made you feel touched or affected in any way.
As for historical errors they are numerous! The author did not bother to do any research at all. I will mention just a few:
-Thebes were never conquered by hyksos
-Royal family could NOT flee to Nubia because Nubia is an eternal enemy of Egypt that especially aggressively attacked them at that time.
-"iron helmets" did not exist at that time. Iron was unknown to Egyptians for at least the few centuries afterwards.
-the pharaoh of Egypt in 1550 A.D. could not ask about the fate of the city named Ptolemais. Ptolemy was a Greek general who came to Egypt in 305 B.C. which is about 1800 years after the events we discuss.
And so on and so forth...
Honestly for a Noble Prize winner and also an Egyptian who claims to write "with love for Egypt and his people" this book is a disgrace.

I love each and every one of these books. If you love realistic Egypt you will love these books. Very well written and you can almost imagine yourself there.

I am so happy to have read this book. Naguib Mahfouz is a master. The stories were unique, thought provoking and powerful. I could read his work everyday forever.

I purchased the book based on a review. I've just started to read and was a little put off at first. but it grabbed my interest as I progressed. I look forward to an enjoyable and informative read.